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“Pastor Kyle Lawrence,” the older man answered the phone.
“Good afternoon. This is Caleb Duncan. I’ve got a problem and I hope you can help me.”
“Of course. What’s going on? Is Joelle okay?” the pastor asked.
“She’s fine.” Caleb relayed the story with as little information as possible but filling in the blanks enough for Pastor Kyle to know the significance of his ask. “I’m hoping you can recommend someone to watch Joelle while I spend some time at the store and try to figure things out.”
“Son, you’re in luck. I’ve got the perfect woman for the job. Her name is Madison Bradley. She just arrived back in town, and I know she’s looking for work. Seems to me you two knew each other years ago. Let me get you her contact info,” he offered.
Madison. No way.Of course, he remembered her considering he’d only just run into the woman at the park today. Madison came loaded with memories of Lauren, and Caleb wasn’t sure he could handle the effect her presence would have on him.
Pastor Kyle came back on the line. “I’ve got her number. Do you have a pen to write it down?”
“Actually, do you have anyone else you could recommend? I mean, it’s just that Madison and Lauren were friends, and it would be awkward.” At least he could be honest with Pastor Kyle and share his deepest thoughts, knowing the man wouldn’t be sharing the information with anyone in town.
“Caleb, it’s high time you move past your grief. Lauren wouldn’t want you stuck in the past like this…afraid to live. Madison’s perfect for Joelle, and for what you need.”
As an employer…that’s what the Pastor meant, right? If he didn’t get the business in order, he’d lose it and the security of a home for Joelle, not to mention the home he’d shared with Lauren. Resigned to the inevitable, Caleb let out a sigh. “I’ve already got her number because I ran into her today at the park. Thanks for your help.” He rang off, unwilling to discuss the Pastor’s comment in depth.
For months, people in town had tried to get him to come out from under the rock they claimed he was living under.Find someone new, they said. You’re still young.
But they didn’t understand.
A love like the one he shared with Lauren happened once in a lifetime. For him, there could never be another.
Chapter Three
Madisonmovedthemacaroniand cheese casserole into the oven and set the timer for thirty minutes. She had been craving the cheesy pasta concoction for months but had been unwilling to settle for the blue box at the store, even though it had been a childhood favorite. No, she wanted the real thing, and being at home with her mother provided her the time to prepare the dish. They both loved to cook, and it had always been fun to see what recipes they would decide to make...the harder, the better. The meals didn’t always turn out, some rather inedible, but the memories of the time spent with her mother would last a lifetime. It was times like these Madison had missed the most when she moved to New York City.
Her mother had been disappointed and worried when she left, but she also understood there wasn’t much call for a fashion designer in Dover. The opportunity to work in one of the fashion capitals of the world had been exciting and not an offer she would ever turn down. But back in town, at least for the time being, Madison was finding a much-needed respite from the fast-paced life.
“So, what’s on your agenda for the rest of tonight?” her mother asked as she tidied the kitchen.
“Just dinner with you and then I plan to curl up on the recliner with my favorite plush pink blanket and a sweet romance story to warm my heart. You know me and my happily ever-after books.” Madison laughed.
“I do at that. I remember when you used to sit on the old wooden bench outside the library and read all day,” her mother said, her eyes lit with a teasing glow.
“Did you know that one day I read six Barbara Cartland books?”
“I seemed to remember you telling me that, now that you mention it. Reading kept you out of trouble, so I didn’t mind. I was surprised you didn’t become a writer. You’ve always been so creative, no matter what you put your mind to doing.”
“Thanks, Mom. I was tempted to try once, but I kept doodling dress designs while I tried to figure out what to write.” It was then Madison knew her true calling.
Her mother nodded. “I think you would be good at anything you set your heart on doing.”
Except she wasn’t doing anything of the sort now. “Thanks for the vote of confidence, Mom. If I would have known how hard it would be to break into the business—”
“You would have still gone after your dreams. You take after your father. Anything that man set his mind to doing, he was all in.”
“True. I remember when I wanted a fort in the backyard, and he went out straight away and bought a two-room kit. We spent a solid week building it together. Mostly him, but it was fun. Coolest fort ever.” Her father had been loving and supportive, and always put her mother and her at the top of his priority list.
“You should go up there and read tonight...it was always your favorite place.”
“Not a bad idea. Thanks. Hope I can still climb the ladder...and that I fit,” Madison said with a chuckle. All her favorite posters hung on the walls, as well as many of her earlier dress designs. Her place of peace once upon a time.
“I’m sure you’ll be just—” The doorbell rang, cutting her mother off mid-sentence as they looked toward the living room. It’s not like they were expecting anyone. Her mother rinsed her hands.
“I’ll see who it is. Probably just a door-to-door salesperson we need to send promptly on their way,” Madison said, more than ready to handle whoever landed on their doorstep. Whatever it was, they weren’t buying.
